This Is What a Villain Is Like

Deep within the Imperial Palace, inside Chengming Hall, memorials floated from the desk into mid-air, moving on their own. RUSTLE, RUSTLE. Their pages flipped over endlessly.

On a soft divan, Emperor Xia, dressed in a black and crimson Emperor’s Robe with gilded trim, lounged in a casual posture, propping her head up with one hand.

As her gaze swept over the memorials, a Gilded Brush nearby floated into the air and quickly finished marking them.

Matters that used to take half a day to review and process, she could now complete in a matter of thoughts.

The improvement in her Cultivation Realm had also brought changes to her soul, thoughts, wisdom, and many other aspects. Multitasking was now effortless.

She could now devote a portion of her mind to cultivation, leaving only a fraction of her thoughts to handle state affairs.

’Heh, it seems many ministers are still dissatisfied with me. Their words are full of remonstrations. But this throne... I am determined to hold it securely...’

’There has never been a female Emperor in all of history. So why can’t I be the first empress to shatter that tradition?’

A mocking smile touched the corners of Emperor Xia’s lips as she scanned the contents of the memorials.

Even after dealing with the ministers who had impeached her with an iron fist, she still found it difficult to quell the many voices of opposition in the imperial court.

Even some of the officials she herself had promoted were now subtly voicing their dissent.

’But if I don’t take this throne, who will? Am I supposed to just hand it over?’

’Those old codgers in the Imperial Clan Court are certainly still eyeing the throne.’

Too bad for them. After she paid them a personal visit with Jiang Ruxian in tow, they could only bury their dissent deep in their hearts, not daring to let it show.

On that day, Emperor Xia had watched with her own eyes as an elder of an ancestral generation appeared—one who had long since stopped meddling in the Royal Family’s affairs. He had intended to use the family’s rules to restrain and punish her, but Jiang Ruxian simply struck him with a casual palm strike. The blow severely injured him, and he didn’t dare utter another word of protest.

The other elders of the Imperial Clan Court fell completely silent.

Though she had intimidated the Imperial Clan Court for the time being, Emperor Xia knew those old codgers hadn’t given up.

’However, I already have a plan. Once these current matters are resolved, I will personally change the Royal Family’s rules and ancestral charters to allow women to become emperor. I won’t just change the dynasty’s name; I’ll be the one to set this precedent.’

’For now, I owe Jiang Ruxian a favor. I told her I’d consider giving her a minor official post.’

’But I know that’s just an excuse. Jiang Ruxian only wants an opportunity to see and work with Jiang Lan. Why would a powerhouse like her be bound by trivial formalities?’

’Jiang Ruxian is no fool. She wouldn’t keep helping me if there were nothing in it for her.’

’This puts me in a tight spot. Jiang Lan earned merit for protecting me during the Southern Hunting exercise, but there’s no suitable official position to reward him with.’

’He probably doesn’t even care. He might even resent it, thinking I’m trying to bind him to me.’

Having finished with the memorials, Emperor Xia shifted into a reclining position. At her side, Spring Orchid brought over a peeled Spirit Fruit and offered it to her.

"Spring Orchid, you’ve been by my side for a long time. What is your opinion of Jiang Lan? What do you think he lacks?"

She didn’t take the Spirit Fruit, instead glancing at her handmaiden as she spoke.

Spring Orchid hadn’t expected Emperor Xia to suddenly ask her this, and she froze for a moment.

She recalled the scene she had witnessed outside the Dragon Transformation Pool, and her face suddenly reddened.

"I... I don’t know what Young Master Jiang lacks," she said in a low voice. "He is the Son of the Prime Minister. His status is noble, his family illustrious. Cultivation Techniques, resources, beauties, position... he has nearly everything. He shouldn’t be lacking anything..."

Emperor Xia nodded in agreement, looking frustrated and helpless. "There’s nothing to grant," she said.

Desperate times had called for desperate measures. To get Jiang Ruxian to act, she had made a grand promise to help her and Jiang Lan reconcile, even creating a "so-called" opportunity for them to work together.

But actually making it happen was proving to be a real headache.

Emperor Xia still remembered the teasing, enigmatic smile on Jiang Ruxian’s face as she left. "I’ve helped you now," she had said. "If you fail to satisfy me, you’d best consider the consequences."

’That woman may look transcendent and ethereal, as if she floats above the mortal realm, but that certainly doesn’t mean she’s naive, kind, or gentle.’

"Your Majesty, Prince Chong’an is outside the palace requesting an audience."

Just then, a eunuch from outside the hall came to announce.

’Prince Chong’an?’

Emperor Xia’s reclining posture didn’t change. A tall screen now stood before her desk, much like a beaded curtain. When her ministers looked up, they could only see a hazy, indistinct silhouette and the surging, potent Dragon Energy surrounding her.

"Admit him." Emperor Xia wondered what business her uncle had with her.

’Could it be about the matter with Prince Zhenbei, Xiao He?’

Over the past few days, ever since the plans for Changsheng Hall were leaked, Prince Chong’an had submitted several memorials. He requested that Prince Zhenbei, Xiao He, be held accountable and stripped of his Military Talisman, arguing that it was the only way to appease the court’s outrage.

Many ministers also believed that Emperor Xia was being far too lenient with Prince Zhenbei.

Although his son, Xiao Teng, had not leaked the plans intentionally, Prince Zhenbei was still the first to be derelict in his duty. How could the matter be brushed aside so easily?

Emperor Xia knew full well that this would not placate the court’s anger. But no matter what, Prince Zhenbei was a man she had personally promoted. He was unwaveringly loyal, and this was a time when she desperately needed people. To demote or punish him now would be like cutting off her own arm at a critical juncture.